always say yes

I’ve always had a hard time starting big projects; whether it was a daunting school assignment or a lingering item on the “to-do” list, I procrastinate the big stuff. The brief satisfaction of ticking off the small things only lasts a moment before the big tasks loom EVEN BIGGER on your short list. Give up and do it tomorrow instead? Better yet! Make a list for yourself (check) and add it to tomorrows tasks.

The hangboard we will use until we get our climbing dungeon set up.

Starting back into training for climbing is one of those big tasks. In a way I don’t want to get back into it because I know how weak I will feel. We are killing it in the backcountry right now. Feeling strong and motivated to climb, study and ski the mountains in our backyard. Why subject myself to the misery of a disappointing hangboard workout?! Good question. Despite the lack of motivation and immediate reward I found myself digging into my climbing gear; cold and stored away since October. The clanking and clicking of carabiners and the leathery smell of climbing shoes met my nose and I smiled. I love this shit! So many of my favorite days are spent alongside a cliff with the people I love. The goals of climbing a route are a convenient vessel to transport us into a richer, driven way of life – sharing the hardship of failures and the joys of success.

Rock Rings for some warm-up pull ups and ab work.

We started buying holds. No EarthTreks? No problem!

My first hangboard workout was about what I assumed. I was rusty, my fingers felt weak and my forearms lacked any inkling of stamina. I’m starting this season’s training with far less goodies at my disposal than last season. No EarthTreks gym, no winter crags… But I do have the use of JP’s Metolious hangboard and the prospect of building our own little training dungeon this spring!

And so it starts again. Another year of training, new goals, new cliffs and new memories. I was giggling as I chalked up for the first time in months. I put old climbing flicks on repeat and relived old sends. What will this year hold? Part of the Rock Climber’s Training Manual (RCTM) is to set goals. Here are a few in no particular order that sit on my 2016 list: climb the Elephant’s Perch, establish a route, replace aging hardware, send Super Mama (5.13b), work Sky Pilot (5.13c/d),one-arm pull-ups?, find a cool project to invest in at The Fins. Here’s to what drives you all to achieve – may the stoke be with you!